Wed. A.M. Feb. 13, 1918. Vassar College. (what’s left of it!) Dearest Fambly: - Well, talk about excitement! We’ve sure had it during the last twelve hours. The back of Main has burned! Tuesday & Thursday nights we are allowed to go to other halls for dinner, and I happened to be Helen Coddington’s guest in Strong (that’s the nearest dormitory to Main). After dinner all the girls were standing around the hall waiting for someone to play for them to dance. All of a sudden all the girls... Show moreWed. A.M. Feb. 13, 1918. Vassar College. (what’s left of it!) Dearest Fambly: - Well, talk about excitement! We’ve sure had it during the last twelve hours. The back of Main has burned! Tuesday & Thursday nights we are allowed to go to other halls for dinner, and I happened to be Helen Coddington’s guest in Strong (that’s the nearest dormitory to Main). After dinner all the girls were standing around the hall waiting for someone to play for them to dance. All of a sudden all the girls tore in one mass toward the south door (facing Main) and it was said they all decided to go over to Main to dance in “J” (the room on 2nd floor which is used for dancing). Then it turned to excitement and rumors of “Fire in Main” began to fly, and the girls were crying “No, don’t go there; it will cause too much congestion. They don’t want you to go!!” Helen & I tore up to fourth floor and looked out the end hall window - (Oh dear! there are 5 girls in here & we’re all talking at once! I’ll have to wait.) Wed. P.M. Mercy! everything’s so different. But I must continue my story and get this in the mail in a few minutes. When we got to the hall window in Strong we could see the flames from the back part of Main - about the Assembly Hall as nearly as we could figure. Engines came shrieking up and sirens blew till it was almost deafening. In less than no time all Arlington and the greater part of the population of Pokeepsie were forming a semi-circle around the north & back sides of Main. Helen and I went out too.It was very mild, and only a gentle breeze blowing - thank goodness! Everything was terribly slushy all around but no one seemed to notice how he was wading around. We watched from the north side for awhile then stood on the steps to the Infirmary. For awhhile we thought the men might just as well have been turning streams of kerosene on the flames for all the effect it had. We watched the roof of the Assembly Hall cave in and everyone stood there stricken when several of the firemen called: “Chief! Chief! man buried under there!” I don’t know what happened then, but we have heard since that about five men were carried away in ambulances. While watching from the infirmary Eleanor Emerson ([Marge’s?] sister) and one or two of her roommates who live on the fourth floor 2. far from the middle came over and this is what she had to say about it. She said that at a little while after five she was riding up in the elevator and called out: “4th” for the elevator boy to stop, but two men in the “L” said, “go on straight up to 5th, don’t stop!” Then she heard them say some more about where they had smelled smoke. A maid had told me before that when they were eating their dinner at 5 o’clock they smelled smoke & sent some men to find out the cause, but they didn’t see anything, so they concluded it must be from the funny smell they sometimes smelled from the burning of the coal. Then Eleanor went on to say that just as they were finishing their desert in the dining room the fire bell rang. (She and the girls in the back of the dining room didn’t hear it on account of all the noise from the girls talking.) But all the girls put up their hands (a sign for silence) and then they all rose in silence and started marching out of the dining room. The girls though it was just a fire drill, and those who hadn’t heard the bell expected to hear them start singing some national anthem to celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday (the only sign of recognition it might receive here!) But everyone calmly walked out and then began the fun. We tried to help the stream of girls carrying valuable books, papers, furniture, clothing - everything.They got ‘most everything out of the book store and treasury and doctor’s office and post office. The rooms of Strong were flooded with girls’ stuff and detectives and others went thru the girls’ rooms in the north transverse, throwing everything out the windows. They did them up in rugs and sheets and carted them to a distance. The gym was finally opened to drop things at Rocky. While the Infirm was filled to overflowing. Still the fire raged and the crowd was riveted to the sopr. There were two other fires in Po. we heard of & one of the firemen said, “Thank God, there comes engine no. _, now we can fight it!” The roof of Assembly Hall went first then [thru?] the fourth floor and then third. You could hear the dishes on the tables clatter as things fell in on them. Then back of the Assembly hall there are several turrets and lots of maids’ rooms and they all went. I don’t know whether they got much out of the grocery store or not but if they didn’t everything probably ruined with water, for all this morning they were still playing big streams and there was about two feet of water standing anywhere - where there was a floor left. 3. All the Main girls had to report to Strong to “sign up” and from there they were appointed to different rooms around campus for the night. Eleanor Emerson slept with Marge & we had another girl on our extra cot. We eat meals in relays & the poor maids are worked overtime. I never saw such efficiency tho! for when we returned from watching fire (we were sent home!) about 9 o’clock - here our extra cot had been made up with clean sheets all ready waiting. The maids did it, I suppose. And at the doors down stairs girls stood hearing everyone sign up whether or not every bit of bed space was being used in their room. - During the night, after we finally did get asleep a wind came up and being a bit excited anyway, we all thought how lucky it hadn’t come earlier - Still in our [semi?]-conscious state & mingled with terrifying dreams we had visions of the flames sweeping the whole building. This morning we had no first hour class but the whole college met in chapel. Prexy spoke to us for a few min. & told us that last night he was in N.Y. when someone telephoned him saying: “Main is in flames!” He took the train immediately and felt like pushing to get here, and said he heaved a sigh of relief when from the station the sky was not all lighted up. He congratulated us many times over & expressed his amazement (!) at our efficiency - said we had already done things when he thought of them. One [of] the faculty also gave us a little talk and told us some of the many funny - absolutely crazy - things that had happened. Then the Students Pres. gave out some instructions and we adjourned. I didn’t miss any classes as I didn’t have any until 4th hour - But of course no one had any work done. The post office is now in the gym! Main girls get their mail from Students` Building & the other girls have their mai come to their rooms. We’ll probably have guests for all night for a couple of nights longer, then they’ll ^let those living in the wings (which were untouched) go in. We were quite disappointed this morning to find no headlines in the N.Y. Times but it had gone to press too early. We heard that there was an extra in N.Y. saying: “Main Building of Vassar College swept by flames - 50 killed!” You can imagine the jam in Strong sending telegrams (That’s where the Messenger Room is now). Parents are pouring in, but they find all their children safe and sound. 2:; ."‘ 1 4. It was a beautiful sight and I wouldn’t have missed it for worlds. Since I have started this lengthy epistle, I have rec’d a big letter from you, Mother, and a nice big one from Daddy. I’ve taken so long and written so much. I don’t see how I can comment on everything now. There are so many funny things we’ve heard which keep coming to my mind to tell you, but I mustn’t take the time. I’m wondering if Chicago will take any notice of it in the papers. Soldiers with muskets patrolled the quadrangle a good part of the night & then - when we were trying to get to sleep we heard a bugle call repeated over & over again, so I suppose they were going then. We heard that all were searched before being allowed to leave the grounds & after a certain time in the morning they wouldn’t let any more on campus to see it, so that some girls off-campus had a hard time getting back. Mr Emerson is going to be in Po. for a few hours Friday & I’m almost as excited and glad as if he were my father. It’s funny, but for several days I’ve been pining for something exciting & different to happen! Believe me! we got it & it really is fun to have the regular routine so upset. The wires are all disconnected so the bells can’t be rung, so men have to ring the huge bell on top of Main to indicate the times for classes to begin &c. The heating system is affected somehow, so that certain buildings whose big [mains?] run thru Main will probably be heatless (Thank goodness for the mild weather!) The [mains?] are flooded. Which reminds me, the enclosed clipping is for Daddy; I meant to send it some time ago. I think he’ll see the significance. Also I’ve been noting the scarcity of fire hydrants around campus & I bet this would be a swell time for Daddy to do some business here. Also I’ve planned to spend spring vacation with Daddy in N.Y (he working [in?] a business trip). I need so many clothes I can’t get here - shoes especially. Please I need the toe-slip badly. Thank you both heaps again for the nice letters - yours was beautifully fat Mother - let them come as often as possible. I’ll answer them individually soon. Good-bye, dears & Happy Valentine’s Day [crossed out] [Th?]day - Love - Gert. Show less

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McAndrew, Marjorie

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Bielat, Isabel

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[unknown], Hannah

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Bielat, Isabel

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Pratt, Mary (Morris)

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Bielat, Isabel, Ditkoff, Andrea

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Anderson, Irene

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Bielat, Isabel

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Washburn, Lucy M

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Bielat, Isabel

Date

Feb 23 1871

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Pease, Julia M.

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Bielat, Isabel, Ditkoff, Andrea

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Tappan, Eva March

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Bielat, Isabel, Ditkoff, Andrea

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[unknown], Mary

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Bielat, Isabel

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Moore, Lulu L.

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Bielat, Isabel

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Greer, Florence

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Bielat, Isabel

Date

Nov 1895

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Hatcher, Orie Latham

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Bielat, Isabel

Date

1887

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Worthing, Margaret (Fletcher)

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Bielat, Isabel

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Jones, Martha (Boyd)

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Bielat, Isabel

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[unknown], Jeannette

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Bielat, Isabel

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Cole, Elizabeth Curtis

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Bielat, Isabel, Ditkoff, Andrea

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Fitt, Harriet (Bradley)

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Bielat, Isabel

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Eaton, Esther

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Bielat, Isabel

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Johnson, Caroline (Curtiss)

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Bielat, Isabel

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Kirkland, Winifred

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Bielat, Isabel

Date

1893-1895

Creator

Quigley, Elizabeth

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Bielat, Isabel

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Duncan, Doris (Bullard)

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Bielat, Isabel

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Thompson, Mary (Coe)

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Bielat, Isabel

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Unidentified

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Bielat, Isabel

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Thompson, Addie (Adda)

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Bielat, Isabel, Ditkoff, Andrea

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Holtz, Eliza

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Bielat, Isabel

Date

1865-1866

Creator

Mineah, Mary A.

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Bielat, Isabel

Creator

Jackson, Helen (Basfield)

Descriptor(s)

Bielat, Isabel

Date

1875-1877

Creator

Vance, Gertrude (Pratt)

Descriptor(s)

Bielat, Isabel

Creator

Richards, Ellen H. (Ellen Henrietta), 1842-1911

Descriptor(s)

Bielat, Isabel, Ditkoff, Andrea

Date

9 Apr 1869

Text

1 1869 Friday night. Apr. 9 - Dear mother - I am so happy tonight and I hope you are. I’d like to [pop?] in & see [what?] you have - & to give you my first flowers - for I have had the great priviledge of finding the first spring flowers he white [Hepatica’s?] - Miss Folsom & I went off a long way, about 2 miles, & I saw the first blossom [there?] [we] gathered quite a little quantity & we were so delighted we were gone only 1 hour from the college - we sent a delicate... Show more1 1869 Friday night. Apr. 9 - Dear mother - I am so happy tonight and I hope you are. I’d like to [pop?] in & see [what?] you have - & to give you my first flowers - for I have had the great priviledge of finding the first spring flowers he white [Hepatica’s?] - Miss Folsom & I went off a long way, about 2 miles, & I saw the first blossom [there?] [we] gathered quite a little quantity & we were so delighted we were gone only 1 hour from the college - we sent a delicate boquet to your old Prof Mitchel who wil never see the spring flowers again & I carried a cluster to Miss Avery who was pleased & to Miss Lyman who is sick - I unwittingly got into her presence & she was as delighted as a child. & thanked us very much - she was in bed but better - Miss Shattuck said “It was so sweet of you to remember me” Miss Small said she should be as proud as a queen and kissed me for them -- so I think I’ve made a good many hearts happy today consequently feel happy myself. The frogs are peeping - the yellow & blue crocus in bloom the hillsides green. Yesterday I thought of dear old New England. Later Miss Folsom & I were quite noted once in our lives - the President heard of our treasures before 2 hours - as I learned from his daughters & now you must have a fair sketch of the closing delights of the day - Rev J.P. Thompson lecture on Moscow - I can’t hope to do it justice. First I was quite charmed with the man - He reminds me much of [...] Harwood - with - a fully developed head & minus the [abrupt?] murmur - His voice was to say the least perfectly agreeable. I would [attract?]. He had an easy air of assurance, which I like - did not rise with apologies or expressions of embarrassment at appearing before us as so many of our lecturers have done - but his first words were “[To?] be dropped into Moscow in mid winter gives a curious sensation” & he went on in the most modest way I ever heard any [traveller?] speak in - he kept himself in the back ground & only now & then did he speak of himself & then often when he was in a ridiculous fix - Everything impressed me favorably & I was completely satisfied with one lecture at least - In other cities of Europe you see something familiar in some department - a sign over a shop or a rail way or something to remind of home but in Moscow all is strange - at times you fancy it is Damascus now Constantinople now you never saw the like - no streets are straight all kinds of buildings are mingled If you could see it of a clear winter morning ^as I did with the [innumerable?] domes & spires & the magnificent buildings stretching to the hills all on the background of glistening snow - you must wait till you get to the New Jerusalem before your eyes, behold another [crossed out: sight] picture so bewitching so lovely & withall so strange - you see strange houses strange women & stranger men till you feel a stranger to yourself - you see a sign “bath.” you think it is some enterprising American but the h turns out to be the Russian n - & its no bath - even the sun seems strange rising so late & running so low - the language is strange I called a conveyance late one night to take me to my Hotel. I knew but one word of Russian - Gostentsi meaning Hotel - & the name of the landlord Billo - so I said Gostentsi Billo & away we whirld soon I saw we were crossing the foot of the street I knew the Hotel was on - I rose up & seizing the driver by the shoulder shouted “Gostentsi Billo” - He turned & drove rapidly in another direction - again I shouted repeatedly Gostentsi Billo as I saw we were approaching a dangerous part of the city - I saw a lantern of a watchman & I stopped the driver & tried the effect of my magical words on him - he soon set my driver right - it seems he was a peasant who had come into the city for the winter & knew the city no better than I did - but he charged me 3 [fares?] forthe ride - Moscow is the typical city of Russia Petersburg is European next next to Paris & Vienna in in magnificence the grand place is more imposing than the Place de la Concord in Paris 5 wide streets miles long radiate from it - Moscow although three times burned is the crystalizing center of the Empire - she is naturally jealous of Petersburg - the coronation ceremony is still held in Moscow & an attempt to place [that?] at Petersburg would cause a revolution. Russia is 10 000 by 2500 miles in extent contains 8000 miles [...] coast - 9000 land [...arder?] 80 millions people - The cabin that Peter the Great built with his own hands on a little island in the river is still standing protected by an enclosing building - the table at which he sat & wrote his [...es?] I could look out upon the Capital & glory of his empire - there is not the great display of other [...] the Cathedral where all the sovereigns are buried has only plain marble steps with only the words “Peter” “Ann” “Katherine” & c The Russians took to the religious when it was introduced as a part of their duty to the government. A scene is described by one of the histories - a whole city were baptized at once some [...] in 5 the water - some sitting on the stones while the priest read the mass for all - that was the way Christianity was introduced in Russia - the Emperor recognizes not power above him - so he always kneeling by the altar places the crown upon his own head - then passing behind the screen takes the holy bread & wine - no Archbishop is worthy to crown an Emperor of Russia. The Russians have a great deal of religiosity - if I may use that word - at the main entrance to the Kremlin hangs the celebrated picture that winked or nodded or did something that sent away the French & no matter what the [temperature?] all must enter bare headed I tried it at 20° below zero - even the Emperor would not dare to wear his hat - Moscow is a city of churches - by actual count look which way you will - you see 100 domes without turning - the bells are many of them very fine in tune on the eve of Good Friday all of them are silent till Easter morning - when as a signal fire is lighted all the innumerable bells ring out in merry chime & every one as they hurry thro the streets to the early High Mass is at liberty to salute whoever he meetswith the holy kiss & the salutation “Christ is risen” on an evening of the year perhaps corresponding to our Hallow Eve the young ladies gather in a room at night and [then?] [...] on the floor a ring in the dark. each has a dish with a few grains of corn in it. - after a time spent in silent meditation a rooster who has been kept some time without food is introduced and after taking a little time to recover himself as other bipeds do under similar circumstances - he advances & helps himself to the corn - from whose dish he first picks will surely be married. The riding school is the largest building in the world without [obstructions?] or pillars of any kind - 960x160 - 2 regiments can [maneuver?] with ease - Tea is the universal beverage - sugar or lemon or milk at the little eating places - tea with the inevitable piece of lemon by the cup - Of all places in winter a Russian House is the most comfortable you are sure of being warm - a servant ushers you into an ante room where all outer garments are laid aside they never [...] [...] with them on - The inside of a russian house is charming no display but much comfort -- Many ladies are acquainted with 4 languages - one I visited conversed with me in English concerning our war as intelligently as if she had been here - turned to my companion & spoke in his native tongue German of the war just [closed?] - chatted with a French lady - gave her orders to servants in Russian - with no [affectation?] or hesitancy - But one thing you would notice that strikes one painfully is the free use of the name of God - they do not mean to swear it is a native habit = to say as this lady did “God how little tea you take.” “Lord how you Americans travel” - She did not mean any more than young ladies outside the walls of Vassar College do when they say “goodness,” “gracious” [&c?]. I was once told by a French teacher in New York - who was teaching in a boarding school when she first came here of an [experience?] of hers in this [...] - This you know was not a College only a boarding school - The Principal was a very [dignified] lady - & the French Mademoiselle was picking up all the English she could & one day when she wished the Principal to stop speaking she said “goodness gracious hold your tongue” the horrified lady demanded where in the world she got such language - the poor teacher had heard one of the young ladies use it - & supposed it was good English: this is a [bad?] [...] & - They have great churches no seats ⅔ are men no female voices in the choir no instruments - men’s voices very fine & when they are on a low key effect is weird thrilling - All go togeth the country people in sheep skin, filthy as possible, side my side with the rich furs. I said to my wife who was with me - what a pity that we must come to despotic Russia to find all [warshing?] together I was making what I thought a very effective reflection - my wife interrupted me as we were passing the steps - with “If you know the Russians for [...] I wish youd step in and get one [me?] the [close?] [...] was rather [suggest…?] - For a 1000 years Russia has been steadily advancing [never?] going back - its policy is persisting devotion to one idea - Russia will never own the world - America will never be the ruler - happily they [strike?] hands & go on together in our darkest day when those we expected to be our friends failed Russia was by us - the Czar has just purchased a [picture?] a [y...arra...n…?] to be hung with Russia’s heros showing the undying hundred of heroic souls” Thi is a very poor sketch but perhaps you will get a few ideas --- Show less